Debbie Gawrylowicz serves as the Director of Business Information Solutions at Brandywine Global Investment Management. She is a results oriented IT leader with experience managing IT across multiple verticals, including financial services, utilities, transportation and healthcare. She has held several leadership positions and her strengths include managing performance, driving change, process implementation and improvement, and vendor relations. In addition, Debbie has served on The Fund’s Grants Allocation Committee for two years and co-chairs the Education Committee.
After 15 years in law and finance, Christina Norland transitioned her career into the non-profit sector as the Executive Director of Kennett Trails Alliance, an initiative of the Square Roots Collective. She is a strategically-focused leader devoted to creating sustainable and efficient mission-driven organizations. Strong track record of delivering positive results to organizations in times of change or challenge, built on a foundation of legal experience, operational expertise and relationship management. Christina served on the Grants Allocation Committee in 2020. She now serves on the Grants Policy and Education Committees.
Dr. Chasity Riddick holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Exercise Physiology from East Stroudsburg University, and a doctoral degree in Public Health from Capella University. Her research area focuses on attitudes towards physical activity in African American college aged women.
Chasity began her career in the Health and Wellness field serving as a Health and Wellness Director at various YMCA’s for over six years. She then took a more focused route and served as Director of Wellness for a local retirement community, where her role was to develop employee wellness programs designed to meet biometric standards for over 350 employees. Most recently, she served as Assistant Professor & Internship Coordinator in the Health Science Department at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. This upcoming fall (2023) Dr. Riddick will begin her new role at Temple University as an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the College of Public Health.
Chasity is the proud owner of Inspire, A Health Education Company where she educates professionals, communities, and organizations on the importance of First Aid & CPR, and ensures all participants in her classes have the skills needed to help save a life. She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, Alpha Nu Sigma Chapter. Chasity has served on The Fund’s Girls Planning Committee and Grants Allocation Committee.
In her spare time, you can find her teaching/taking fitness classes at the Brandywine YMCA and making memories with family & friends.
Maxine Cuffe has worked in investment research for more than 25 years, across multiple asset classes and geographic regions. As Director of Global Strategies at Haverford Trust, she is responsible for global asset allocation decisions and investment analysis on U.S. equity portfolios. Maxine graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. She started her career in Hong Kong as an equity search analyst focused on Emerging Markets, later moving to the UK, where she worked as an investment strategist and portfolio manager. Throughout her career, Maxine has been a trustee for nonprofit organizations focused on the needs of women and children, as Treasurer of both Edinburgh Women’s Aid and Stepping Stones, North Edinburgh. At The Fund, Maxine serves as Treasurer and chairs the Finance and Investment Committee. She is also a board member with the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. In 2022, she was honored to receive the Women of Distinction Award from the Philadelphia Business Journal. Maxine lives in Kennett Square with her husband and two daughters.
Jocelyn Young is Associate Vice President, North America Legal, at Hikma Pharmaceuticals. Prior to becoming an attorney, Jocelyn spent about 15 years in market research and consulting, having held roles at several companies including AstraZeneca and International Data Corporation. Jocelyn also has served as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University Graduate School of Business and an Attorney Guardian Ad Litem for the Delaware Office of the Child Advocate. Outside of work, Jocelyn enjoys yoga, reading, and hiking with her husband and their much-loved rescue dogs. At The Fund, Jocelyn has served on the Grants Allocation Committee, the Grants Policy Committee, and the Governance Committee.
Sandra Donahue is a dynamic, fearless, self-motivated, and proactive Leader who is described as being a “terrific protocol professional,” a representative with “unwavering professionalism,” and a “great team player.” Known for creating exceptionally strong teams, excellent communication, critical thinking, and keen attention to the bottom line. Also known for having a natural ability to forge and maintain relationships that lead to enterprise-wide cohesion and alignment between teams, and the broader corporate mission. Sandra is currently the Regional Sales Manager of the Mid-Atlantic Region for Party Rental, Ltd. Sandra has been a longtime volunteer and supporter of the Fund for Women and Girls as well as several other organizations focused on women and girls. Most recently, Sandra is an active member of the Grants Policy Committee and Planned Giving Committee.
Sonal is a dedicated professional who serves as a Quality Director in a privately owned company. With a strong background in technical expertise and a keen eye for process improvement, she plays a vital role in driving business improvements through behavior change. Sonal’s journey began in India, where she was born, and continued in England, where she was raised. Seeking to further her education, she ventured to the United States to pursue a Master’s degree in Biology.
Having been exposed to diverse cultures throughout her life, Sonal has developed a mindset that emphasizes collaboration, teamwork, and the importance of active listening in achieving common goals. This mindset has shaped her professional approach and allowed her to effectively lead teams towards success.
Beyond her professional commitments, Sonal is deeply engaged in making a positive impact in her community. She currently serves on the board at the Arc of Chester County, a school that her late son attended. Her personal experience, having lost her son to a rare disease, fuels her passion for making a difference in the lives of others.
In her spare time, Sonal finds solace and rejuvenation in hiking and reading. These activities provide her with a healthy balance, allowing her to recharge and maintain a holistic approach to life.
Overall, Sonal’s multifaceted background, coupled with her professional expertise and commitment to community service, gives a strong drive to create positive change in both her personal and professional spheres.
Dr. Christine Lowthert is the founder of CEL Strategies, and currently serves as the Area Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware. With over ten years of success in building and leading collegiate athletic programs, she inspires a culture of integrity, positive communication, and operational excellence by bringing intentionality to prioritizing people and performance. Christine currently serves as the co-chair on the Development Committee. Most recently, she served as a volunteer on the Champions of Change Committee and The Fund’s Making A Difference Luncheon Committee.
Cheryl Miles oversees program operations, supervises program staff, and recruits and trains volunteers within churches to be mentoring volunteers to families within the program. Cheryl is a social worker with over 30 years of experience working with some of society’s most vulnerable populations. She received her BSW from West Chester University and her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. Cheryl is co-convener of the Chester County Faith Leaders Addressing Poverty and Black Women of Chester County in Action. She is also a member of the Chester County’s Decade to Doorway Coordinated Entry Taskforce and Coatesville Cross System Partnership. Cheryl has served on the H.U.B of Hope HIV/AIDS Ministry Advisory Board. She is also member of the Chester County Collaborative, the host of Chester County Annual Single Mothers’ Conference. Cheryl is a member of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church. Cheryl is the recipient of the 2019 Kitchen Table Award. She has also been involved with the Fund as a grantee and community partner.
Marilyn Montross Sheils is a Retail Sales and Marketing executive, with a focus on broadcast and digital, multi-channel retailing. Marilyn leads Montross Marketing, a firm that assists vendors in securing and maximizing business relationships with leading global Ecommerce and TV/Video Shopping Retailers. As a member of The Fund’s Education committee, Marilyn reviewed and gave feedback for the upcoming 2022 Blueprint Report, which underscores the long-term effects of the economic recession on the health, safety, and financial security of women and girls. This year, Marilyn will be the chair of The Fund’s Governance Committee. Marilyn is also serving as Chair of Immaculata University’s Business Advisory Board. She earned a BA in Organizational Dynamics from Immaculata University and an AA from Tobe-Coburn in Buying and Merchandising.
Ashley Orr is the Manager of Health Policy Research and Values Initiatives at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Prior to joining NCCN, Ashley spent more than a decade working in local public health in Chester County. Most recently she was the Population Health Bureau Director for Chester County Health Department. Ashley brings experience in community health research, program planning and evaluation, coalition building, and strategic planning. She earned a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Epidemiology from Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Gettysburg College. Ashley served on The Fund’s Grants Allocation Committee in 2017 and currently chairs the Grants Policy Committee.
Marisol is a realtor at Long and Foster Real Estate. She started her career in the real estate industry after 15+ years of experience having her own company working as an architect, builder and construction manager, in projects for big multinational companies and also in residential projects. In addition to a variety of volunteer roles at local nonprofits, Marisol joined The Fund last year as a member of the Development and Grants Policy Committees.
Mitra Saffarian-Toosi is Vice President, Retail Office Manager at WSFS Bank. She has experience directing sales, operations, compliance, customer experience and business development in the financial industry. Mitra is a disciplined and resourceful leader who leads diverse teams to excellence through coaching and mentoring.
Mitra was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, and after high school moved to the United States. She attended Pierce College, California State University Northridge, Maryland University in Germany, and Webster University in The Netherlands where she studied Biology, Computer Science and Management and Leadership. Since 2005, Mitra has been living in West Chester where she started her Banking Career with Commerce Bank (currently TD Bank), and then joined WSFS Bank in 2015. Mitra serves on various regional and market-wide committees including Associate Engagements and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Additionally, during her banking career, Mitra has volunteered or advocated for multiple non-profits, including Chester County Women’s Commission (Secretary and Treasurer), The Fund for Women and Girls (Grants Allocation Committee), North Star of Chester County and Domestic Violence Center of Chester County.
Roberta Torian recently retired from Reed Smith LLP, where she served as a partner. One of the most experienced bank regulatory and consumer compliance lawyers in the country, Roberta has many years of past in-house experience at PNC Bank Mellon Bank and Advanta in Philadelphia. Additionally, Roberta mentors many young women lawyers around the US and has served on boards focused on advancing women’s interests. She is Board President of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania’s Deaconess House, and Chair of the National Bar Association Women Lawyers’ Foundation, Philadelphia Chapter. As an attorney, she served on the board of Chester County Women’s Commission and was a founding member of the National Bar Association’s Women Lawyers’ Division Foundation, Philadelphia Chapter. Roberta is also a member of The Forum of Executive Women. She received our 2nd Annual Gladys Black Woman of Distinction Award and has served on The Fund’s Grants Allocation Committee and Grants Policy Committee. Roberta and her husband reside in West Chester.
Barbara McNeil Jordan is the founding Chairman of the Board and currently serves as Chairman Emeritus of The Fund for Women and Girls. She is a director of the Claneil Foundation and a member of Springside Schools’ Honorary Alumnae Council. She recently retired as chairman of the board of Claneil Enterprises, Inc., a family holding company, and as a director of Wawa, Inc. Her past community commitments include serving on the board of trustees of the Episcopal Academy and Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library. She was a trustee of the Chester County Historical Society for 13 years, serving terms as vice chairman and chairman of the organization. Barbara also co-chaired their $5 million Historic Vision campaign.
